Terminal myelocystocele: Surgical management

The authors describe clinical and imaging findings, surgical technique, and outcomes in myelocystocele.

We describe a surgical procedure performed in six patients, four males and two females, with myelocystocele treated at our hospital. We review the images obtained at the time of diagnosis and after surgery. The patients' age range was 12-56 months and had undergone surgery for terminal myelocystocele between 2015 and 2020. All patients had a large lumbar mass covered with healthy skin and presented spontaneous movements at birth. Two patients presented VACTERL syndrome.

A watertight closure of the soft tissues was performed in all cases. None of the patients presented postsurgical complications, such as cerebrospinal fluid leak or infection. All the patients had undergone excision of the meningocele sacs, the tethering bands were lysed, and the filum was detethered. The mean follow-up period was 34 (12-56) months. A motor deficit was seen in 2 patients (33.3%).

Prenatal diagnosis and early corrective surgical intervention are recommended to prevent deterioration in neurological function. VACTERL association is a common condition and should be investigated.